(Hamilton) – When Hamilton residents are driving around the community this week and see displays of purple, they can rest assured that it is for a very good cause.

Today was “Paint the Township Purple” Day in Hamilton, an effort along with the American Cancer Society to help raise public awareness of cancer prevention and support, as well as to raise awareness of Hamilton’s upcoming ‘Relay for Life’, which will be held on May 15th at the YMCA – Sawmill in Hamilton Township. The ‘Relay for Life’ is an overnight community celebration where individuals and teams camp out; listen to bands; take part in fun activities and games; and take turns walking or running around a track “relay” style to raise funds to fight cancer. These Relay for Life events are held annually in communities all across the nation.

Joined by representatives from the American Cancer Society and the Hamilton Township Restaurant Association, Mayor Bencivengo announced some of the ways that the Township would be promoting awareness over the next few weeks through this effort community-wide effort.

Hamilton will be displaying purple ribbons at the entrances of various Township buildings and parks, which seniors at the Township’s Senior Center and Township employees helped to make following the announcement of this initiative. Mayor Bencivengo encouraged residents to join in this effort and consider placing ribbons in front of their homes.

Beginning tonight, Hamilton Township will also begin lighting the Municipal Building on Greenwood Avenue purple, as another way to increase public awareness.

Mayor Bencivengo also announced with the assistance of the Hamilton Township Restaurant Association, that the Township would ask and encourage local restaurants to consider placing purple placemats, provided by the American Cancer Society, in their establishments.

“Nothing better describes what today is all about than the word – hope! Hamilton Township is a compassionate community filled with compassionate people. Through this important effort, we are providing hope for our neighbors who are battling cancer and our neighbors who today, thankfully, are cancer survivors. And together, we can continue to work together towards a common goal of one-day finding a cure to this disease,” says Hamilton Township Mayor John Bencivengo.

For more information on Hamilton’s Relay for Life, residents can visit the website: www.relayforlife.org/hamiltonnj